As athletes from around the world arrived at the Olympic Village and settled in for a good night's sleep, they encountered unique challenges with the specially designed beds for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The bed frames were crafted from recyclable materials, and the mattresses were made from reused materials, with the option to adjust firmness by flipping them over. However, some athletes found the beds lacking in comfort.
Australian water polo player Tilley Kearns shared a video on TikTok describing the beds as 'rock solid,' while her roommate expressed discomfort in the background. British diver Tom Daley also tested the bed's sturdiness in a TikTok video.
Runner Paul Chelimo from Team USA suggested that the beds were made of cardboard to deter intimacy among athletes, sparking rumors of 'anti-sex' beds. Tokyo 2020 clarified that the design aimed to reduce environmental impact and that the beds would be recycled into paper post-event.
Responding to inquiries, the Paris Olympics media team emphasized that the choice of beds for the 2024 Games was driven by environmental sustainability, ensuring minimal impact and a second life for all equipment used. They assured that the furniture had undergone rigorous testing to guarantee durability, comfort, and suitability for athletes of diverse body types.
